Wednesday, 31 December 2014

Looking back on 2014

Today being the last day of 2014, I wanted to thank everyone still reading Rouge Deluxe for taking the time to stop by even though I no longer blog as frequently as before having my baby. With my son getting more hyperactive each day, something had to give, which meant that I simply did not have the time to write product reviews anymore as swatching, taking and editing photos were all too time-consuming. Time that I would rather spend with him, as these precious sweet baby months do fly by in the blink of an eye. I still try to post updates on upcoming collections as that's what most are interested in but the reality is that I only check in here only about once a week.

It's been an eventful year filled with lots of memorable adventures, including our first trip with the baby to Mykonos, Greece, and two trips to the UK to visit family. We have just moved back to Singapore for awhile and will be relocating to Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, in a few months' time. In the meantime, I'm enjoying being back home for now (3 years away means a lot of local cuisine to eat our way through) and exploring all the water playgrounds with my toddler. I haven't written about him as I didn't want to turn this into a mummy blog. I never expected to be a mother and put it off for a long time but now that he's here, every day is a day that I'm truly grateful for, filled with his cheeky smiles, excited babbling and deliciously warm chubby hugs.

Oct '13 - Arrival of the little one at last!

Nov '13 - We stayed at home the whole of his first month until his first appointment with the pediatrician. Although he was an average weight at birth (3.3kg), he managed to pack on more than 1kg in that first month. Since then, he was always solidly on the 95th percentile in terms of weight for his age.

Dec '13 - Out for a walk by Lake Geneva.

Jan '14 - Bundling up for his first winter!

Feb '14

Mar '14 - Enjoying the first blooms of spring in Geneva

Apr '14 - At the tulip festival in Morges

May '14 - Iris garden at the Castle of Vullierens

Jun '14

Jul '14

Aug '14 - in red and white for our National Day

Sep '14 - Visited his baby cousin in the UK

Oct '14 - Celebrated his first birthday

Nov '14 - Visited his baby cousin again in the UK and moved out of Switzerland.

Dec '14 - Back in Singapore for the first time since he was born and getting excited by all the Christmas trees.

So this was my year. I hope that yours was a good one too and that 2015 will be even better!

In my life, I know some women who regretted not being a mom, but not a single woman I know regretted being a mom. Yes, it is hard work (with lots of guilt, swearing, tears and blood involved) but when a child is here, it is definitely a blessing (albeit sometimes in disguise). Wishing you a blessed & happy New Year of 2015. xo, Claire

Gorgeous pics of your happy little man :) Although your move to the US sounds like a huge adventure, I do feel awful for you having to do all this moving. What a stress - especially with a toddler!!Best you don't eat too much in Singapore, because if there's one thing I remember from my time in America, it's that there's food wherever you look! Got to watch your waistline there for sure ;)Wishing you & your family a successful, happy & healthy 2015!Really hope to see you posting, even if it's just occasionally, for a long time to come.

I love seeing how he has grown. What a cheerful and handsome little boy he is becoming. Have a awesome year ahead Iris and take care. Post more pics of your handsome fella, he always brings a smile to my face.

Dear Iris, thanks for this lovely post! Really glad to see that 2014 has been a memorable one for you and how your son has grown! Have been a regular visitor of your blog all these years and still love dropping by. All the best for the new year and your new life in the US! :)

There has been no greater blessing, no greater source of joy, than watching my two sons grow into manhood. And now that they are fully realized adults, they continue to be the greatest source of happiness in my life. Each moment, each stage of development, brings its own special lessons about life and love and so I hope you'll always have time to savour them as your little fellow grows. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.

I've read your blog for many years since my university days and I still continue to read it now even after I moved away from Singapore. Please continue updating when you are able to. =) happy new year to you and your family!

It's been wonderful to watch your little one grow up with Instagram and I'm still so happy you're blogging - yours was one of the very first blogs I started reading! Best of luck with your move to Illinois - I have family out in Chicago that I visit reguarly so maybe someday I can hopefully meet you too!! Happy New Year!

Hi Iris, Happy New Year!Thank you for sharing!I do appreciate you keeping this blog and do drop by to read once in awhile. I was at CVS the other day and thought about the Milani CPs I used to do for you and the Japanese CPs you used to do for me!Take care and looking forward to your move to the US in a couple of months.

Happy new year Iris! Thank you for sharing these precious pics, your kiddo is just the cutest, happiest little bundle of joy :D

I always appreciate your updates here and am so impressed that you actually find time to do it at all! Wishing you the best of luck for the coming move! (Also, Geneva and Urbana-Champaign... is your husband a high energy physicist?)

hi Cat,thank you! Nope, he isn't, it has worked out that way due to our respective jobs. I'm looking forward to the change but not the freezing cold!

hi Michelle,

those were good times :-) Thanks for continuing to stop by!

hi shino,lovely to hear from you and glad that you enjoy reading the blog. Happy new year!

hi Claire,It is tough but I wouldn't exchange it for anything else. Hope you have a marvellous year ahead!

hi D,Thanks, looking forward to the change!

hi Buggsie,I hate moving house almost more than anything else but somehow, I always have to move every few years and usually across countries. It would be nice to settle down somewhere for once just so we can stop living out of all these boxes!

hi Jacqueline,Thanks for reading and the kind comments, will do so!

hi Worshipblues,aww, thank you! Hope all goes well for you in the new year too!

hi visee,thanks for reading all these years, it really warms the heart to know that I have longtime readers who have supported the blog all these years. All the best to you and your family in 2015 too!

hi sj,thanks for delurking to leave such a kind comment, happy new year to you too!

hi Eileen,I totally agree, there's no greater blessing than to see my baby grow up in good health each day. Happy new year to you!